What do you guys and gals do with your furniture you’ve made but no longer use? I have about a half dozen pieces I made from the past 20 years laying around in my house that have become obsolete or simply replaced. Now I don’t know what to do with them and I have no room to store them. Should I give them to a thrift shop, sell them in a yard sale, pitch them in the garbage, use them for firewood, or just keep them forever for posterity?
Here’s a few of them to give you an idea of what they are. They’re well built, I just have no use for them anymore.
mike
Replies
I have given furniture to the Salvation Army and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. I think if you give them to such organizations, the pieces will find a good home and get many more years of welcome use.
If you don't have friends or family who'd be interested in having your work, the I have two words for ya...
Craig's List.
It's free, easy to use, and reaches a lot of people. Depending on the price, your pieces will go quickly....
Jeff
Mike,
In addition to Rich's comments, the salvation army may pick the furniture up from you, and you may be able to get a tax credit for the value of the items. (big brothers/sisters may do this as well)
Seems to me that is the best way, those pieces seem to be nice, and I'm sure someone would love to have them.
Lee
Yes, Both organizations have a pick up service.
As far as a tax deduction, there is no question you can take that. But here's some advice a tax lawyer gave me some years ago - Don't!
The actual amount the deduction will lower your tax liability is miniscule, unless you are donating a huge amount. Even then, it is very hard to set and prove the value you are claiming. Worse, the deduction itself, whatever the amount, will flag your return and increase the chance of an audit.
Unless you really have big numbers involved (very, very unlikely) just enjoy the good feeling of helping a charitible organization.
Rich
Looks like pretty good "obsolete stuff".
There are ministries that would love to have quality furniture donated to their offices, and fellowship areas. Many participate in a "caring & sharing" warehouse (kind of goodwill).
Or the next time you hear a news story of a family being burned out or flooded out, help them get back on their feet. My experiences of working with our neighbors who were devastated by Hurricane Katrina convinced me that we should look for opportunities to help a family. The rewards are indescribable and even though we weren't looking for "thank you's", it was so much more gratifying than dropping stuff of at the Red Cross. It takes more effort to do this than making a delivery to a charitible organization, but it is worth it.
Thanks for the replies. Looks like the best thing for me to do is donate them to a good home and let them get some future use.
mike
I know from prior posts, we're in the same town. Our church has a couple of retired guys that collect furniture like this (or parts from damaged new furniture from retailers), rehab, repair or rebuild it, and a couple of times a year rent two Ryder trucks and haul it east to Appalachia. The center there arranges for people who need it , and they are all waiting in the parking lot for the trucks to show up.
Contact me off-list if you are interested in contributing to this charity.
I mention this publicly in case anyone else gets a germ of an idea for doing this type of work. There are plenty of organizations like this.
You could send them over to my house! Looks like some nice pieces to be obsolete.
My stuff seems to end up scattered around the family. I might be sitting in someone's family room and notice a familiar looking end table when I realize, hey I built that!
I have a trestle table that has been loaned out to at least three newlyweds. When it comes back I make it into a work table. I've had to refinish the top a couple of times.
-Chuck
Mike,
Can you show me some more pics of the coffee table? I might be interested in it depending on the size. How much do you want for it?
Regards,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the offer but those picture were taken when the pieces were in their prime. They don't look that nice anymore being neglected in storage for a few years. Plus, the shipping the coffee table to NH would alone be $100 when the table is only worth $50 tops. I think I'll try to get some quick cash at a yard sale to help pay for my wedding and give the rest away to charity.
mike
Depending on where one lives, Volunteers of America can also make good use of such items. By way of disclaimer / transparency, etc., I do work with the organization.
Alan - planesaw
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